Veterinary Medicine Student Services and Administration Center

The Veterinary Medicine Student Services and Administration Center houses 100 staff and school leaders dedicated to providing a range of services and support for the school’s community of students, faculty and staff. This facility is a major piece of the school’s overall masterplan designed to co-locate the teaching, research, clinical and administrative functions at the Health Sciences District in modern, state-of-the-art buildings. New teaching, research and community practice clinical facilities have already been completed as elements of this multi-phased masterplan. The center brings together teams currently housed in multiple locations, promoting easier communications and collaborations, and increase efficiencies.

The center includes offices, work stations, and conference rooms to support the following units: Academic Programs, Student Programs, Global Programs, Research and Graduate Education, Development, Academic and Staff Personnel, Communications, Fiscal Services and Administration, Information Technology, and the Executive Office. A new food service facility known as “Scrubs Cafe” offers a large space for informal networking by faculty, staff, students, clients and visitors along with a walk up window for coffee and pastries to serve clients with pets in tow. Food options include cooked-to-order items, grab-and-go choices, snacks, and a variety of hot and cold beverages. The patio area provides seating for daily use and can be reset for special events. The center’s outdoor footprint includes an adjacent area for large events and acts as a gateway to the UC Davis Arboretum.

Both the indoor and outdoor space includes artwork to enhance the overall environment and engage the creative imagination of our community. A signature two-story mosaic wall, created by artist Mike Mandel, embodies the inherent principles of the school: the bond between animals and humans; the connection to the environment; and the teacher-student mentorship relationship. The mosaic features many hands making contact with a horse, depicting empathy and the direct connection between the human team and the animal during a clinical examination. The mosaic includes geographic elements illustrating the northern California terrain, merging the environment with the animal health message.

Additionally, artist Nina Kaiser created three bronze sculptures -- a goat, a pig, and a dog and two geese facing off at each other -- installed outside in locations around the patio area and event lawn. The building also includes a permanent scholarship donor honor roll. This feature recognizes the important contributions of alumni and friends to support our student’s educational success.

The overall cost of the project was $27.9M (including the café) funded by the campus and School of Veterinary Medicine gift funds.